Interested in studying Chemical Engineering?
Thinking about using your chemical engineering knowledge to advance your career, satisfy your intellectual curiosity and build upon your passions? Investigate the opportunities available to you in the Department of Chemical Engineering.
We are focused on innovation and research in the fields of biomedical and biotechnical engineering, electrochemical engineering, sustainable reaction engineering, nanotechnology for advanced materials, soft matter and polymer engineering and process systems engineering.
A graduate degree in Chemical Engineering will allow you to have a career in a multitude of employment sectors. From developing next generation batteries and fuel cells, to biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, to mitigating climate change through carbon capture. Chemical engineers are everywhere, they are involved in the life cycle of every product society relies upon. To find out more about career paths, please visit our Meet our Graduates and Alumni profiles pages.
FAQ
Do you know about our IP policy?
Students own what they invent at the University of Waterloo. This makes University of Waterloo an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Here support is available to commercialize innovations and nurture new start-ups. Learn more.
Did you know that you get paid to do a research-based degree?
Did you know that domestic graduate students pay less for tuition than undergraduate students?
Did you know that if you did not get accepted into the University of Waterloo's undergraduate engineering programs, you have a good chance of being accepted into our graduate program?
Chemical Engineering is the discipline that manipulates matter at the molecular level. Therefore, Chemical Engineers have expertise in creating new and advanced materials. Chemical Engineering is involved in almost every product society relies upon. As a graduate student in the Department of Chemical Engineering, you could build the batteries of the future, design smart materials for robotics, tackle climate change and enable a circular economy.
Whether you're creating the next generation of lifesaving pharmaceuticals, novel biomedical devices, cybernetic systems, or alternative energy, you'll be part of the solution as a Chemical Engineer.
The Department of Chemical Engineering offers programs leading to degrees in research-based programs (PhD and Master of Applied Science, MASc) and course-based programs (Master of Engineering, MEng and Master of Engineering Co-op). Our department also admits into the collaborative nanotechnology and water programs
Are you interested in computational analysis, simulations, and data analytics? Solving engineering some of society’s most pressing technical problems using computers, engineering background, and your imagination?
Process systems engineering (PSE) - a sub-discipline of chemical engineering - is focused on the optimization and control of large-scale chemical and biochemical processes. From optimizing the design of a municipal water treatment facility to developing advanced model predictive control for bioreactors, PSE is an area of engineering practice with major impacts and transferable skills!
Computational multiphysics (CMP) - another sub-discipline of chemical engineering - is uniquely multidisciplinary. Related to computational fluid dynamics (CFD), CMP combines fluid and solid dynamics with mass/energy transport and (bio)chemical reactions. Unlike PSE, CMP involves detailed space-resolved simulations, where high-performance computing is vital, to assess the performance of equipment and device designs.
Learn more about process systems engineering and computational multiphysics.
Taylor Roth shares her experience in our MASc program in Process Systems Engineering. A program that uses computers to do mathematical modelling, computational analysis, simulations and data analytics.
Let's hear from one of our students.
PhD student Zahra Negahban
"I am an international PhD student in the Chemical Engineering program at the University of Waterloo, specializing in process optimization through mathematical modelling. My passion lies in leveraging advanced computational techniques to enhance industrial processes. The diverse and inclusive environment at UWaterloo has enriched my learning experience, providing invaluable opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation."
"One of the strengths of my supervisor is their collaboration with industry partners, which offers me the chance to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, enrich my academic experience, and develop valuable professional connections. The Faculty of Engineering's commitment to cutting-edge research and academic excellence has been instrumental in advancing my expertise and career aspirations."
